Healthy Living in Connecticut Blog
It Wasn’t My Intention, But I Did Lose A Little Weight With The Potato Challenge
It’s hard to eat potatoes and GBOMBS foods (greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries and seeds) and not lose weight. I basically avoided foods like nut butters and avocados for the month of June. It was a good learning experience and I do like to challenge myself. However, I did miss my breakfast of oatmeal and especially the almond butter.
The weight I lost was due to keeping my same level of activity and not increasing my calories. I am happy to be back at my normal routine. I’m still highly active but I do require a lot of calories. That’s why I love bing plant based. I can eat a lot, asI always had a big appetite, and not have to worry about gaining weight.
I feel so awesome, probably the healthiest I’ve ever felt. I am preparing for a half marathon in the fall, even though it might not happen. I am strength training again and gaining the muscle that I lost.
I finally decided to step on the scale at the gym as I do not own my own scale. I noticed my pants were not fitting the same. Sure enough, it was like 5-7 pounds. At my height of 6‘3’ tall, this is right in the range of where I need to be. I still wouldn’t mind a few more pounds though as I gain muscle.
I did another comparison photo as I realized the before photo I often share is now from 10 years ago. I learned a lot since then. I cannot imagine feeling the way I felt in that before picture. I was tired, had no energy and poor self esteem. I also had hypertension and most likely pre-diabetic and didn’t even know it.
I guess that’s why I push myself so hard; I don’t ever want to be that unhealthy again. I am planning other challenges. as I said in a previous post, I would love to do a fruitarian diet for a week. I would also love to try a raw foods diet again too. I remember how awesome I felt doing raw foods.
But no matter how you eat, plant based works. It doesn’t matter if it’s raw or cooked foods, a certain kind of food, like potatoes, whatever. There is enough protein and nutrients. They key is to eat enough variety everyday.
About the author
Richard Hubbard was once over 350 pounds. After a doctor's physical and finding out he was pre-hypertensive, he decided to make changes and avoid medication. Over the course of a year, Rich lost the first 120 pounds of his incredible 150 pound weight loss. He ate healthy foods based on Dr. Joel Fuhrman's book "Eat To Live". He was mostly plant based, but switched to completely plant based in September of 2016. He also became a vegan in the process as his compassion for animals increased. He credits bodybuilder Robert Cheeke for influencing his decision of going vegan. Rich aspires to be a vegan bodybuilder and is planning his first half marathon this year.